If we didn't have plastic would we have to go back to using money? What would our cell phones be made of?
Kid's toys? Doggie dishes? About half my car? Whatever would we do?
2007-09-24 19:41:14 · 12 answers · asked by Warren D 7 in Environment ➔ Other - Environment
Plastic is a very valuable engineering material, it performs far better than metal or ceramic or timber for many purposes, eg water pipes.
however, it is mostly wasted on cheap throw away items that pollute the environment.
Plastics are all synthetic, but can be made from almost any organic (plant) material, it doesn't have to come from fossil fuel.
Many plastics are also recyclable.
We are less likely to run out of plastic than metals, which require high levels of energy to extract transport and refine from a finite supply ores. eg tantalum in mobile phones is only available form a few areas in Africa where demand is funding brutal warlords
2007-09-24 23:30:57 · answer #1 · answered by fred 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As said before plastic is synthetic! The better question is why do we use so much plastic? Can we not go back to using glass for bottles? How about taking my glass bottles to the grocery and re-filling them with my husband's much loved Pepsi. I only drink water from the tap or make iced tea in my reusable glass pitcher. I use cloth grocery bags. I purchase items with less packaging. Kids toys could be made of wood like they once were!
The problem with plastic is that it is oil based. Making plastics buts carbon into the air. Carbon emissions are out of control. We should all be doing our part to reduce the amount of carbon emissions. If we stop depending on plastic for everything the levels will decline.
2007-09-25 01:53:41 · answer #2 · answered by Gretchen G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember in the 80's when there was suppose to be a denim shortage, so they raised the price of jeans to $60 and designer jeans became popular? But the denim never disappeared? It just cost more. Like gasoline? IF there ever was a plastic shortage, I would bet that another substance would take its place.
2007-09-25 07:17:45 · answer #3 · answered by Granny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We would use checks, paper bags, wooden toys, Stainless steel doggie dishes. We would be fine and learn to live a simpler way. I don't like plastic bags or plastic dishes nor do I like plastic cups. I like glass, porcelain dishes and a grocery cloth bag or woven basket much better.
2007-09-24 20:07:55 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As we all know that plastic r now creating environmental problem.Now it's time to banned.We have many others options other than plastic.we should go for them.Environment is our..we must care of it.plastic bags can not be dispose off,can not be burn as it release carbon monoxide which is highly poisonous,can not be buried as it remain in the earth for longer time, can be decayed by micro-organisms.because of it disposal problem it is not beneficial.
If it is must to use plastics than it must be taken care by users.the best way of disposal is recycle.If properly used and recycled then there is no need for sysnthctic plastic and also most important our environment is save....
2007-09-24 21:41:33 · answer #5 · answered by vikram jain 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As above, Plastic IS SYNTHETIC.
There is nothing natural that is as malleable as plastic. To replace it would mean going back to rock and wood. Much heavier, much more expensive, and in some situations, not a viable option. Think about a car made of wood and rock?
2007-09-24 19:50:10 · answer #6 · answered by Adar 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Paper bags and wood and real glass milk bottles where the cream rises to the top and you didn't have to pay extra for it.
Cell phones? Hey, you just might do it the real old-fashioned way...visit in person!, write a letter! Money, wouldn't that be special!!! Buying only what you could afford??? Actually having to think about things and budget, and be financially responsible?, instead of, gotta have it now and everything is disposable?
2007-09-24 20:07:46 · answer #7 · answered by mhiaa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I am sure we would figure out something. If not-I bet we would slowly perish. We would have a hard time living with something as important as plastic being eliminated from our lives. There would be more fights and chaos, I would assume, as people would begin to hoard and steal it as if it were gold. I personally wouldn't freak out over it, but I know a lot of people that would!
2007-09-24 22:23:12 · answer #8 · answered by Happy. Finally. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plastic is synthetic.
2007-09-24 19:46:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Warren, no, that's when we have come full circle. So we start with stone bottles, rock credit cards, and art on the cave walls. Think Flintstones. I've been practicing my stone carving -you ought to see my bed!
2007-09-24 19:53:36 · answer #10 · answered by Jeanne B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋